KEXP Reviews

The sixth album from Eels is a sprawling 2-CD set containing 33 songs. According to Eels main man Mark Oliver Everett (aka E.), the album is “about God and all the questions related to the subject of God” – in other words, typically weighty subject matter for Eels. His eclectic modern-pop sound shows some similarities to Beck by juxtaposing acoustic instruments with electronic textures and samples, but he never gets as wildly eclectic as Beck. Lyrically, E. leavens his pessimism and dark melancholy with humor and some life-affirming hope. Some special guests help out (Tom Waits, R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and the Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian), but this is E.’s show. 4/20/2005
- Don Yates